Principles of infection prevention in laboratory and hospital

Using proper hand hygiene at the appropriate times.
Using personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, gowns, masks, eyewear) whenever exposure to infectious agents may occur.
Implementing respiratory hygiene for staff, patients, and visitors.

1. Principles of infection prevention
&
control
By Abdur Rehman
PhD Scholar

2. Infection Prevention & Control
Infection
Prevention &
Control based
on
The Chain of
Infection
Hierarchy of
controls
Strategies to
Reduce
Transmission
PRINCIPLES OF INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL

3. The chain of infection
•a causative agent/pathogen (for example SARS-CoV-2)
•a reservoir
•a portal of exit
•a means of transmission
•a portal of entry
•a susceptible host
Transmission of infectious agents requires
the following elements:
PRINCIPLES OF INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL

4. The chain of infection
Infection prevention and control measures aim to break one or more of the links in the chain to limit or
prevent the transmission of the pathogen
PRINCIPLES OF INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL

5. Hierarchy of controls
•A model for managing occupational hazards in the workplace
•The hierarchycontrol Arrange risk reduction tactics from most
to least dependable
•Multiple control strategies are required to eliminate or minimize
the risk of infection
PRINCIPLES OF INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL

6. Hierarchy of controls
PRINCIPLES OF INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL

7. Strategies to Reduce Transmission
HIERARCHY OF CONTROLS EXAMPLE IPC STRATEGIES
Elimination
removal of the virus from the workplace and
therefore eliminate the risk of transmission
•Exclude unwell staff from the workplace
•Offer alternative work options for at-risk
staff
•Screen staff and visitors prior to entry to
the workplace
Substitution
Finding other ways to provide care that reduce
potential for transmission
•Consider conducting activities outdoors in
case of covid
•Use telehealth to minimize face-to-face
consultations e,g covid
PRINCIPLES OF INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL

8. Strategies to Reduce Transmission
HIERARCHY OF CONTROLS EXAMPLE IPC STRATEGIES
Isolation
Isolation of infected persons to prevent potential
transmission
•Use Class N negative pressure rooms for
COVID-19 positive patients
•If not available, use standard isolation
rooms or single rooms with private
bathrooms
•Cohort groups
•Use of patient zones
Engineering
Changes to infrastructure or equipment or
change systems of work
•Optimise ventilation systems/zones in
buildings
•Use air cleaning devices (with cautions)
•Vaccines
PRINCIPLES OF INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL

9. Strategies to Reduce Transmission
HIERARCHY OF CONTROLS EXAMPLE IPC STRATEGIES
Administration
Implementation of policies & protocols to guide
practices that reduce risk
•Implement policies such as:
✓Vaccination programs
✓respiratory protection programs
✓standard and transmission-based precautions
procedures
✓Surveillance
✓physical distancing
✓education and training
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Worn to protect the wearer from infection
•Use transmission-based precautions
•Use PPE (masks, respirators, gowns, gloves,
and eye protection)
PRINCIPLES OF INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL

10. PRINCIPLES OF INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL